Growth and development takes center stage in Metro Council District 22 race
Not too long ago, one could drive out of Fern Creek, past the Gene Snyder Freeway and into a largely undeveloped countryside. Now, the construction of homes, apartment complexes and commercial strip malls has changed that, making growth and development a big issue in this year's Louisville Metro Council race.
Since the formation of Metro Council after the city-county merger, Republican Robin Engel represented District 22, which stretches from Fern Creek to the edge of Jefferson County.
Now that he's retiring, Republican Kevin Bratcher and Democrat Rasean Crawley are competing for the seat.
Both say addressing responsible growth is a top priority.
"For the for at least the last 30 years, the movement in Metro has the been to increase density for their zoning," Bratcher said. "And I have wanted us to put the brakes on that. Actually, Frankfort did put the brakes on. We said no zoning changes for one year so people can catch up and understand what's going on before it's just thrown before us."
Bratcher, a state lawmaker since 1997, said he knows the system well enough to address issues with the state roads and city development process.
Crawley said he would work to bring developers and city officials together to improve planning and bring the kind of development residents want.
"So with that responsible development comes having that one-on-one conversation with the organizations that support our roads, our streets," Crawley said. "Having those one-on-one conversations with the industries that are coming into the community and making sure that they have the correct mindset of why they're here and that they're going to benefit versus hurt this district."